“Youth is the immense waste of living unconsciously. It is a period when you do not think of the harvest.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
- He became a representative figure of postwar Japanese literature, and was highly acclaimed both at home and abroad. He pursued his own unique aesthetic with themes of beauty and death, and ultimately committed seppuku at a Self-Defense Forces garrison. His life, which combined literature with action, continues to have a strong influence today.
Japanese
「青春が無意識に生きることの莫大な浪費。収穫を思わぬその一時期。」
English
“Youth is the immense waste of living unconsciously. It is a period when you do not think of the harvest.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima presents a critical view of youth, emphasizing that it is a time often characterized by living without awareness or conscious purpose. He refers to it as a “waste” because the energy and potential of youth are often spent without fully understanding the long-term consequences or the value of one’s actions. The metaphor of harvest suggests that youth is a time when one does not yet realize the importance of preparation or the need to cultivate one’s future. Instead, it is a period where the focus is often on immediacy, impulses, and experiences without considering the eventual outcomes or the fruits that may come later in life. This view of youth as a time of unconscious living aligns with Mishima’s recurring themes of impermanence, self-awareness, and the passage of time.
Mishima’s words also reflect a sense of regret or realization that comes with age. Looking back on youth, the individual may recognize that this time, though full of energy and potential, was also a time of missed opportunities for deeper reflection or growth. The notion of “not thinking of the harvest” implies that youth is often a time spent in carefree or reckless living, without considering the future or the long-term implications of one’s choices. This creates a sense of lost potential, where the promise of youthful vigor is not always channeled into meaningful achievement or development.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote can be seen as a commentary on the pressures and distractions of modern youth, where many young people are caught up in the rush of immediate gratification and self-discovery, often without considering the long-term consequences of their actions. In today’s world, with the constant presence of social media, instant communication, and cultural expectations, there can be a tendency for youth to pass by without fully understanding its transitory nature. Mishima’s reflection invites us to consider how we approach youth—not just as a time of exuberance and freedom, but also as a moment in life that requires awareness, purpose, and an understanding of the future we are building.
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